The Hidden Struggles of Psychologists on Instagram
More psychologists than ever are turning to Instagram to share mental health advice and connect with the public. While their colorful infographics and relatable posts may look effortless, new research reveals the complex challenges these professionals face behind the scenes.
Walking a Tightrope Between Personal and Professional
A recent study of 12 UK psychologists who use Instagram professionally found that maintaining boundaries on social media is far more complicated than traditional therapy settings. These mental health professionals constantly navigate the delicate balance between being authentic and relatable while maintaining professional standards.
Many psychologists feel pressure to share personal details about their own mental health struggles to appear more human and accessible to their followers. However, this authenticity can backfire when potential clients develop unrealistic expectations or parasocial relationships, believing they already know their future therapist intimately.
The constant accessibility of social media creates unique challenges. Unlike traditional therapy with clear start and end times, Instagram psychologists receive hundreds of messages weekly from people seeking help. While they want to support those reaching out, they must repeatedly explain that social media posts are educational, not therapy.
The Mental Health Cost of Helping Others
Perhaps most surprisingly, the research revealed that using Instagram as a mental health professional can be detrimental to the psychologists' own wellbeing. Many reported experiencing anxiety, burnout, and sleep loss related to their online presence.
The pressure to consistently create content and keep up with changing algorithms adds stress to already demanding careers. Some psychologists described feeling like they must constantly perform and post regularly to avoid becoming obsolete, leading to a cycle where they burn out both in their day jobs and on social media.
Criticism from both the public and fellow professionals creates additional strain. Some psychologists lose sleep over negative comments, while others worry about being reported to professional bodies by colleagues who disapprove of their social media presence. The fear of making mistakes online creates persistent anxiety about "not wanting to do the wrong thing."
Navigating Ethical Gray Areas
The study highlighted significant gaps in professional guidance for psychologists using social media professionally. Current guidelines focus mainly on personal social media use, leaving mental health influencers to navigate ethical dilemmas without clear direction.
Psychologists struggle with questions about self-disclosure, managing followers in crisis, and balancing educational content with business promotion. The Instagram format itself presents challenges, as complex mental health topics must be condensed into digestible posts, potentially oversimplifying important concepts.
Many worry that their posts might lead people to self-diagnose or avoid seeking proper treatment. The visual nature of Instagram can make mental health seem more glamorous or simple than it actually is, potentially contributing to misconceptions about psychological conditions.
The Business Side of Mental Health
Using Instagram for business purposes creates uncomfortable tensions for many psychologists. They must market themselves and their services while adhering to professional ethics, a combination that doesn't always feel natural.
Some psychologists questioned whether charging for certain content or promoting products aligns with their values of helping people. The transition from sharing free educational content to directing followers toward paid services can feel ethically murky, particularly during difficult economic times.
Despite training extensively in psychology, many feel unprepared for the marketing and business aspects of maintaining a professional Instagram presence. Some outsource these tasks, while others struggle with feeling like imposters in the influencer space.
Why They Keep Going
Despite these challenges, all the psychologists in the study continued using Instagram because they found the benefits ultimately outweighed the costs. They valued the sense of community with other mental health professionals and enjoyed the creative aspects of content creation.
Many were motivated by social justice concerns, wanting to make mental health information more accessible and challenge systemic issues affecting wellbeing. With long waiting lists for NHS services, they saw Instagram as a way to provide some support while people wait for formal treatment.
The direct feedback from followers about how their content helped was particularly rewarding. Psychologists appreciated being able to reach people who might never access traditional therapy services and found the work aligned with their values of helping others.
The Need for Better Support
The research suggests that professional bodies need to develop more specific guidance for psychologists using social media as influencers. Current guidelines are insufficient for addressing the unique ethical challenges of professional social media use.
White, E., & Hanley, T. (2025). “What I share is not the same as therapy”: Psychologist experiences of Instagram use as a mental health influencer. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice.
Supervision specifically focused on social media work could help psychologists navigate difficult situations and protect their own mental health. Many supervisors currently lack experience with these issues, leaving psychologists to figure things out on their own or rely on informal peer support.
Clearer boundaries around time spent online, responding to followers, and mixing business with mental health content could help reduce burnout and ethical confusion. Professional bodies might also need to consider how to support psychologists who want to use their expertise to reach wider audiences while maintaining professional standards.
The rise of mental health influencers represents both opportunities and challenges for the profession. While these platforms can democratize access to psychological knowledge and reduce mental health stigma, they also create new ethical dilemmas and risks for both professionals and the public.
As social media continues to evolve, the mental health profession must grapple with how to support practitioners who choose to share their expertise online while protecting both professional standards and practitioner wellbeing. The experiences of these Instagram psychologists highlight the need for clearer guidance, better support systems, and ongoing conversations about the role of social media in mental health care.
Understanding these challenges is crucial as more mental health professionals consider online platforms as part of their practice. While Instagram may offer new ways to reach people who need support, it's clear that doing so responsibly requires careful consideration of the complex issues involved.
